Court of Darkness

20. Acquaintances - Nicki

Nicki was throwing knives on the target. It was boring but she couldn't use moving targets. No one would willingly let her practice on them. That was fair. She wouldn't kill the vampires but they could still feel pain. She wouldn't be up for it either. She heard the door open and close and someone walk in her direction. She knew that walk. She felt his arms around her as she released her last knife.

"You're late for dinner, Nicki." His chin was on her head. Her body was against his. She could feel that Alexander was excited to see her again.

"I was practicing and forgot the time. Also, since when do we have a set time for dinner?" She turned around to look at him. It was tricky, considering that Alexander's arms were still around her but she managed. The king was now looking down on her because of their height difference.

"We don't, but I was done with work and you weren't there. Reeva said that she hadn't seen you for hours. I know that you love the training room. My second idea was checking the stables but this was closer to my office." He was correct about that. She was fond of training. It kept her sharp. She felt Alexander's hand move lower and grabbed it.

"Do not touch my ass. You haven't deserved it." Alex just sighed and pouted slightly.

"You're right. I haven't, but it was so alluring to do." She turned around and looked disappointed at him.

"Can you please try to control yourself a bit better?" Alexander grimaced and nodded.

"Yes, dear." She rolled her eyes of annoyance.

"I'm not your dear. We're not officially dating." She pointed out.

"You sleep in my bed. You've kissed my cheek and you're not trying to escape when I wrap my arms around you. What are we then, if we're not dating?" Nicki huffed when he said that. Alexander had a point but she wasn't ready to admit it.

"We're acquaintances!" She got out of his arms and pinned him against the wall.

"Well, in that case I feel like we're very acquainted then. But feel free to deny that you're still attracted to me, if that comforts you." He said it with a smirk. He had her right where he wanted her and they both knew it.

"You disgust me. I do not feel attracted to you at all!" She was looking at his kissable lips as she was talking to him. Nope. She wasn't into him. Alexander was just imagining it. Her nails dug slightly in the fabric of his sleeves.

"Darling, you're pinning me against the wall and you're looking at my lips instead of meeting my eyes. Someone is in denial." Alexander said in a sing-song tone. She let go of him and crossed her arms.

"No, I'm not! This is normal behaviour.  Everyone does it if they don't like a person!" That lie even sounded weak to Nicki herself. She saw an amused spark in Alexander's red eyes.

"I'm guessing you want to sleep alone, then? I'll make sure to ask someone to prepare the guest room for me then." Asshole. He knew that wasn't what she wanted.

"No... I don't want to sleep alone..." She had tried it once after the attack. Her anxiety had won and she had quickly asked if Alexander had been willing to move rooms in the middle of the day. He had been kind enough to do it without even complaining about it. She hated to admit it after everything he had done, but he could be a sweet guy.

"Alright... I may be a tiny bit into you..." Alexander gave her a knowing look.

"Just a tiny bit?" He repeated. His tone made it obvious that he disagreed with her statement.

"Fine, a tiny bit very much still into you." She said with a sigh. He patted her shoulder.

"See you in a bit for dinner, Nicki." He left her alone in the training room. Nicki sat down against the nearest wall and screamed of frustration.

"Alexander!" She swore that she heard a chuckle in the hallway. This man would be the death of her.